Hundreds brave rains for school's 120th anniversary

By Will Hoover
Advertiser Staff Writer

Persistent rains and overcast skies were not enough to dampen the spirits of hundreds of people who attended yesterday's big 120th

Raymond and Nellie Shigeta, right foreground, sat with members of the Kuhio School class of 1946 at the 120th anniversary lu'au for the Mo'ili'ili school. The lu'au drew hundreds of students, parents, teachers and friends from the past and present for entertainment and Hawaiian food. Nellie Shigeta graduated with the class of 1947. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

"This is not what we planned," said principal Evelyn Hao. "But if Punahou Carnival can be successful with thunderstorms every year, then Kuhio School can have a wonderful 120th anniversary lu'au."

Hao and her staff improvised some last-minute changes to accommodate visitors and protect them from the inclement weather.

Instead of having the festivities on the school lawn, as planned, officials quickly set up a large rented tent between the school library and cafeteria. A covered walkway made a suitable location for the basketball toss, soft darts, fish pond and other carnival-style games.

People line up at the cafeteria to pick up their Hawaiian meals — kalua pig, lomi salmon, fresh 'ahi, poke, poi, rice, three kinds of cake — and walk the short distance to dining tables beneath the tent.

A makeshift stage, shielded from the rains by a tarp-canopy, was fashioned on the front steps of the library and served as a showcase for the talents of Kuhio students. Entertainment included hula dancers, music and song by the Kuhio School Choir and Performance Group, as well as storytelling.

For many, the simple joy of sharing the experience with folks who have been part of the school for generations seemed to be a main attraction.

"I just loved teaching here," said retired kindergarten teacher Pat Kagesa. "I tried to motivate my students. I didn't do a lot of scolding. I always let them know they were doing well. I've seen many of my students. They all remember me."

"In 120 years, this school has gone from a Hawaiian school to a group with over 22 different nationalities represented," said Ron Lockwood, whose three children went to Kuhio.

Archive records indicate that Kamo'ili'ili School, as it was originally called, was founded in 1884 as a free, government, Hawaiian-language institution with an enrollment of 47. Boys outnumbered girls by about 2-to-1.

Four years later, it was converted to a government English school and renamed Mo'ili'ili School. In 1923, it was again renamed, this time to Kuhio School, in honor of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana'ole, who died the year before.

Also that year, a stately two-story building with columns and an inner courtyard was completed.

"That school was torn down in 1974," said Hao. "It was beautiful. I don't know why they tore it down. Today we wouldn't tear anything like that down."

A favorite exhibit at the Kuhio School lu'au yesterday was this photo, "Kuhio School Grade 5, Room 22, 1946" — though no one seemed to remember the comedian in the front row. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

The identity of the offending student remained a mystery, even though several students from that bygone era tried to place him.

"I don't remember who that is," said Tom Tanabe, one of about 20 alumni from the class of 1946 who showed up yesterday. Tanabe's classmates Kenneth Ashitomi, Jack Uyehara and Sylvianne "Syl" Nakamura weren't able to name the kid either.

"Very rascal, that class of 1947," concluded Nakamura as she took a close look.

Nellie Shigeta, who was part of the class of 1947, thought she remembered the teacher.

"I believe that was Mrs. Wolford," she said. "She was very sweet lady, and very loving of her students. But she was strict in her own way."

Shigeta said Wolford most surely would not have approved of the boy's theatrics — although she did concede that it made for a memorable photograph.

Reach Will Hoover at 525-8038 or at whoover@honoluluadvertiser.com.